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The temporal patterns of feeding activity of Lipophrys pholis and Coryphoblennius galerita were studied by snorkelling dives during high-waters. The feeding activity was especially intense during the rising-tide when compared to the ebbing-tide. The relative abundances of C. galerita and small L. pholis observed on rock-walls were higher during the rising- and high-tide. However, L. pholis larger than 7–8 cm showed higher relative abundance on rock-walls during the ebbing phase, apparently because they move up and down with the tide, and many individuals were in their downward movements as the tide ebbs. It is hypothesized that the asymmetry in feeding pattern observed in both species reflects a trade off between two conflicting needs, maximizing feeding time and reaching their low-tide shelters in time, avoiding the risk of getting stranded in unsuitable locations.

In this note we report on changes of activity level of littoral fish and their use of different microhabitats in an altered intertidal environment, where intertidal fish are never emersed and turbulence is confined to high tides. Despite these atypical conditions, the structure of the assemblage is basically the same found in a typical rockyshore situation. Two intertidal fish known to possess internal tidal rhythms, Lipophrys pholis and Coryphoblennius galerita, retain those rhythms in these altered conditions, and the associated social changes in L. pholis are also retained. These observations support the studies of Gibson (1971), who showed that changes in hydrostatic pressure were of prime importance in keeping the tidal rhythm entrained. The subtidal Parablennius pilicornis, on the contrary, is more active during low tide than at high tide. The hypothesis that some subtidal species are excluded from the intertidal by a turbulence-avoiding mechanism is discussed.

Coryphoblennius galerita is a small intertidal fish with a wide distribution and limited dispersal ability, occurring in the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. In this study, we examined Atlantic and Mediterranean populations of C. galerita to assess levels of genetic divergence across populations and to elucidate historical and contemporary factors underlying the distribution of the genetic variability. We analyse three mitochondrial and one nuclear marker and 18 morphological measurements. The combined dataset clearly supports the existence of two groups of C. galerita : one in the Mediterranean and another in the northeastern Atlantic. The latter group is subdivided in two subgroups: Azores and the remaining northeastern Atlantic locations. Divergence between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean can be the result of historical isolation between the populations of the two basins during the Pleistocene glaciations. Present-day barriers such as the Gibraltar Strait or the ‘Almeria-Oran jet’ are also suggested as responsible for this isolation. Our results show no signs of local extinctions during the Pleistocene glaciations, namely at the Azores, and contrast with the biogeographical pattern that has been observed for Atlantic– Mediterranean warm-water species, in which two groups of populations exist, one including the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast of western Europe, and another encompassing the western tropical coast of Africa and the Atlantic islands of the Azores, Madeira and Canaries. Species like C. galerita that tolerate cooler waters, may have persisted during the Pleistocene glaciations in moderately affected locations, thus being able to accumulate genetic differences in the more isolated locations such as the Azores and the Mediterranean. This study is one of the first to combine morphological and molecular markers (mitochondrial and nuclear) with variable rates of molecular evolution to the study of the relationships of the Atlantic and Mediterranean populations of a cool-water species.

The full developmental sequence from egg to juvenile of Parablennius pilicornis in controlled conditions is described. Embryonic development lasted 9 days at 18.0 to 21.0°C, 14 days at 17.0 to 20.0°C, 16 days at 16.0 to 19.0°C and 17 days at 14.0 to 18.5°C. Newly hatched larvae measured 3.1 mm total length (TL), had the mouth and anus open, pigmented eyes, almost no yolk, and the pectoral fins were small and unpigmented. Most larvae settled between day 66 and 69 after hatching (27.0 mm TL) and showed full juvenile pigmentation patterns between day 91 and 93 (30.0 mm TL). However, on day 61/62 after hatching (when they were more than 25.0 mm) they began to show a complex agonistic repertoire., La secuencia de desarrollo, desde el huevo hasta el estadio juvenil, de Parablennius pilicornis se describe en condiciones controladas. La duración del desarrollo embrionario fue de 9 días a 18.0-21.0ºC, 14 días a 17.0-20.0ºC, 16 días a 16.0-19.0ºC y 17 días a 14.0-18.5ºC. La talla de las larvas en el momento de la eclosión era de 3.1 mm TL, la boca y el ano ya estaban abiertos, los ojos pigmentados, prácticamente sin vitelo y las aletas pectorales pequeñas y sin pigmentación. El asentamiento, en la mayor parte de las larvas, tuvo lugar entre el día 66-69 después de la eclosión (27.0 mm TL) y mostraban el patrón de pigmentación característico de de la fases juvenil entre el día 91-93 (30.0 mm TL). No obstante, a partir del día 61-62 después de la eclosión (TL> 25.0 mm) empezaban a mostrar un repertorio agonístico complejo.

Os glicocorticóides exercem um papel importante na regulação fisiológica e na adaptação a situações de stress, sendo a maioria dos efeitos destes hormônios mediada pela interação com os receptores glicocorticóides. A sensibilidade ao glicocorticóide depende da densidade celular de receptores expressos, bem como da eficiência da transdução do sinal mediada pelo complexo hormônio-receptor. Os estados de resistência ou de hipersensibilidade ao glicocorticóide, observados, respectivamente, nas doenças inflamatórias auto-imunes e na síndrome metabólica, podem representar a variabilidade dos fatores que influenciam a cascata de sinalização do glicocorticóide. O reconhecimento destes fatores contribui para uma melhor compreensão tanto do fenótipo clínico e da evolução destas doenças quanto da resposta terapêutica com glicocorticóide. A compreensão destes mecanismos fisiopatológicos também pode contribuir para a escolha de intervenções terapêuticas. Neste artigo de revisão, descrevemos os múltiplos fatores envolvidos nesta cascata de sinalização, os quais são capazes de influenciar a sensibilidade ao glicocorticóide. Glucocorticoids play an essential role in maintaining basal and stress-related homeostasis. Most known effects of glucocorticoids are mediated by the intracellular glucocorticoid receptors. The glucocorticoid sensitivity seems to depend on the amount of receptors expressed and the efficiency of glucocorticoid receptor-mediated signal transduction. Glucocorticoid resistance or hypersensitivity, seen in autoimmune-inflammatory diseases and in metabolic syndrome respectively, can represent the variability of several steps that influence the signaling cascade of glucocorticoid action. The recognition of these steps could provide the understanding of the clinical phenotype and course of such diseases as well as their responsiveness to glucocorticoid therapy. The comprehension of these pathophysiological mechanisms can also improve the possible therapeutic interventions. In this review, we have summarized the multiple factors that have been shown to be involved in this signaling cascade and, thus, to influence glucocorticoid sensitivity.

O leite de búfala foi fermentado por Lactobacillus casei, com diferentes concentrações de açúcar e tempos de fermentação, e estocado durante 30 dias a 5 e 10°C. Avaliaram-se a acidez, o pH e a viabilidade de L. casei nos diferentes tratamentos. O leite fermentado por 18 horas não apresentou os parâmetros requeridos para o produto, enquanto os fermentados por 22 e 24 horas apresentaram acidez e pH adequados. O tempo e a temperatura de estocagem influenciaram esses parâmetros. A viabilidade de L. casei inicial foi maior que 9 log UFC mL-1 e a final, maior que 8 log UFC mL-1, com influência da acidez. Buffalo milk fermented by Lactobacillus casei was elaborated with different sugar concentrations and fermentation times, and stored during 30 days at 5 and 10°C. Acidity, pH and L. casei viability were evaluated in the different treatments. Milk fermented for 18 hours did not show adequate parameters for this product. Milk fermented for 22 and 24 hours presented adequate acidity and pH. Storage time and temperature influenced these parameters. The L. casei initial viability was greater than 9 log CFU mL-1 and the final was greater than 8 log CFU mL-1, with influence from acidity.

INTRODUCTION: The Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is greatly prevalent in the population and can be associated with bruxism. This disorder produces several signs and symptoms. Among them, pain is one of the most important because it reduces life quality and productivity of people who have such disorder. The aim of this research was to study if massage causes pain relief and/or electromyographic (EMG) changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were chosen by a questionnaire and divided into 2 different groups. Their ages varied from 19 to 22 years. The experimental group consisted of 6 TMD patients, who were submitted to the massage treatment and 4 EMG-sessions (the 1st EMG-session occurred before the treatment and the others in the 1st, 15th and 30th days after the treatment). The control group consisted of 6 TMD patients, who were submitted to the same 4 EMG-sessions. While EMG activity was recorded, subjects were asked to keep mandibular rest position (MRP) and to perform maximal voluntary clenching (MVC). The treatment consisted of 15 massage-sessions on face and neck and in application of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for measuring pain level. The massage sessions had 30 minutes of duration and were performed daily. The EMG data were processed to obtain the Root Mean Square (RMS), which were normalized by MVC. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that (1) RMS-MRP of the right masseter in experimental group at the 1st EMG-session was higher than at the 2nd EMG-session and (2) statistically significant reduction was found for VAS values after massage session. CONCLUSION: Unfortunately the sample is insufficient to draw any conclusions, therefore, more studies regarding the use of massage in the management of myogenic TMD are necessary. INTRODUÇÃO: A disfunção temporomandibular (DTM) tem grande prevalência na população e pode ser associada com bruxismo. Esta desordem produz vários sinais e sintomas. Entre eles, a dor é um do mais importantes porque reduz a qualidade de vida e a produtividade das pessoas que têm tal distúrbio. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar se a massagem produz alívio da dor e/ou alterações eletromiográficas (EMG). MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Para tanto, utilizou-se um questionário para selecionar portadores de DTM, os quais foram divididos em 2 grupos diferentes. A idade dos voluntários variou de 19 a 22 anos. O grupo experimental foi formado por 6 portadores de DTM submetidos ao tratamento pela massagem e a 4 sessões EMG (a 1ª sessão ocorreu antes do tratamento e as outras nos 1º, 15º e 30º dias depois do tratamento). O grupo controle foi composto por 6 portadores de DTM submetidos às mesmas 4 sessões EMG. Durante o registro eletromiográfico, foi pedido aos voluntários para manter a posição de repouso mandibular (PRM) e realizar contração voluntária máxima (CVM). O tratamento consistiu em 15 sessões de massagem na face e pescoço e na aplicação da Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) para avaliar o nível de dor. As sessões de massagem tiveram 30 minutos de duração e foram realizadas diariamente. Os sinais EMG foram processados para obter Root Mean Square (RMS) que foi normalizado pela CVM. RESULTADO: Foi demonstrado que: (1) RMS-PRM do masseter direito do grupo experimental foi maior na 1ª sessão EMG em comparação com a 2ª sessão EMG e (2) houve redução estatisticamente significante para os valores de EVA pós-massagem. CONCLUSÃO: A AMOstra é pequena para delinear qualquer conclusão, sendo necessários mais estudos a respeito da massagem no tratamento das DTMs miogênicas.

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Agrárias. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência dos Alimentos.

Background The expression of glucocorticoid-receptor (GR) seems to be a key mechanism in the regulation of glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity and is potentially involved in cases of GC resistance or hypersensitivity. The aim of this study is to describe a method for quantitation of GR alpha isoform (GRα) expression using real-time PCR (qrt-PCR) with analytical capabilities to monitor patients, offering standard-curve reproducibility as well as intra- and inter-assay precision. Results Standard-curves were constructed by employing standardized Jurkat cell culture procedures, both for GRα and BCR (breakpoint cluster region), as a normalizing gene. We evaluated standard-curves using five different sets of cell culture passages, RNA extraction, reverse transcription, and qrt-PCR quantification. Intra-assay precision was evaluated using 12 replicates of each gene, for 2 patients, in a single experiment. Inter-assay precision was evaluated on 8 experiments, using duplicate tests of each gene for two patients. Standard-curves were reproducible, with CV (coefficient of variation) of less than 11%, and Pearson correlation coefficients above 0,990 for most comparisons. Intra-assay and inter-assay were 2% and 7%, respectively. Conclusion This is the first method for quantitation of GRα expression with technical characteristics that permit patient monitoring, in a fast, simple and robust way.

In this paper we review the temporal patterns of variation of rocky intertidal resident fish assemblages and discuss possible mechanisms that may explain these patterns. These assemblages tend to be highly resilient and stable on an inter-annual basis, but tend to undergo marked seasonal fluctuations, as different species recruit and reach different phases of their life cycles. Larval supply is usually not a limiting factor suggesting that post-recruitment deterministic mechanisms exert a strong influence on assemblage organization. At methodological level, it is argued that traditional destructive sampling techniques should be avoided whenever possible. It is proposed that a deeper understanding of these assemblages requires more detailed information on intraspecific interactions between members of each constituent species, and information on the interactions between limited numbers of species for which mutually influences are particularly strong. It is argued that size, topography and biotic cover of a pool may provide a limited number of favourable sites for fishes of a given species and class size so that intraspecific competition, and possibly predation of the individuals less able to get access to best sites, may explain to a considerable extent the inter-annual stability and resilience of these assemblages.

In this paper we describe for the first time the occurrence of agonistic behaviour in Chondrostoma polylepis (Pisces: Cyprinidae) in captivity. In this species agonistic behaviour was present in adults of both sexes and juveniles, during spring and summer, well after the end of the breeding season. Qualitative observations revealed the presence of a similar pattern of agonistic behaviour in Chondrostoma duriensis. Despite intense observation effort, no signs of agonistic behaviour were detected in three other Chondrostoma species of the same geographical area, C. macrolepidotus, C. lemmingii and C. lusitanicum. It is hypothesized that agonistic behaviour in C. polylepis and C. duriensis may be functionally linked to their feeding ecology.

Recruits of Lipophrys pholis, Coryphoblennius galerita and Gobius cobitis spend the low tide under water in pools, and in the case of G. cobitis also in channels. The pools used by the two blenniids show greater similarity than those used by G. cobitis. Larger juveniles and adults of C. galerita continue to use the same type of pools, which are temporarily abandoned by the males during the breeding season when they use emersed holes and crevices as nests. The much faster growing L. pholis and G. cobitis leave the pools in their first autumn, when they are c. 7 cm long. Whereas G. cobitis >7 cm move to channels and large upper pools, with a smooth substratum, sand and boulders, L. pholis begin to use emersed crevices where they spend low tide often in large groups. When L. pholis or C. galerita were added or removed selectively from pools, their numbers returned to pre-experimental levels after 2 weeks, suggesting that, although intraspecific competition may be strong, interspecific competition was unlikely to explain these results fully.

In this study we investigated the relationships between dominance rank and access to shelters in captive groups of Lipophrys pholis and Coryphoblennius galerita, as well as the effects of group size and shelter availability. Dominance rank was strongly correlated with size in juvenile L. pholis and with sex and size in adult C. galerita, males being dominant over females of similar size. Access to shelters was significantly correlated with dominance rank. For both species, most interactions occurred out of shelters. Direct disputes over shelters were always initiated by the dominant fish and the initiator was always the winner. The rate of aggression per fish per unit time decreased with an increase in the number of fish in L. pholis but not in C. galerita. No significant differences were found in groups differing in the number of shelters. C. galerita showed a higher rate of agonistic interactions and a higher proportion of overt aggression than L. pholis. It is suggested that one of the functions of agonistic interactions in these fishes is the control of a set of shelters, in the network of pathways used by each individual within its home range, minimising the time required to hide in case of danger.

Substratum choice tests conducted on early juveniles of Lipophrys pholis show that they clearly prefer rocky to sandy substrata. The cues involved are still unknown. It is likely that this early preference for the habitat of the adults affords them a greater protection from both predators and wave action. At this early stage agonistic behaviour, although in simple forms, is already present and may play a role in competition for the best shelters

A monthly census of resident fishes in tide pools was made at 3 sites on the Portuguese west coast, from 1993 to 1997. A total of 43 tide pools was monitored. Results of manipulation (addition and removal) experiments are presented. There is a very high level of consistency in the numbers of species at 1 site. Experiments on removal and addition show that the number of fish in the pools returns to normal in a few weeks. The inter-annual fluctuations of recruitment are less pronounced as the fish grow, possibly due to density dependent mortality. At the other 2 sites, where the pools are disturbed by storms that reshape their contents and move large quantities of sand, there is a less consistent pattern. The agonistic behaviour of tide pool fishes is strongly related to the priority of access to holes and crevices and this may place limits on the number of fishes of a given size that can exist in each pool as a function of topograph~c complexity.

The agonistic and reproductive behaviour of Gobius cobitis (Pisces: Gobiidae)are described based on observations of fishes kept in captivity. It is argued that some features of agonistic and reproductive behaviour of this species share many functional similarities with thoes of other taxa of benthic fish, while others seem to be convergent traits typical of fishes with male parental care. The behaviour of the larvae is also described

The patterns of agonistic behaviour and substratum preferences were investigated in captive groups of juveniles of Lipophrys pholis (Blenniidae), Coryphoblennius galerita (Blenniidae) and Gobius cobitis (Gobiidae). In monospecific groups, size was an excellent predictor of the rank attained by each individual. In heterospecific groups, both C. galerita and L. pholis were dominant over G. cobitis of similar size, and C. galerita dominated L. pholis. Although G. cobitis showed higher rates of activity and of attacks per minute, and a higher ratio of attacks over threats, all these measures were depressed in the presence of either blenniid. In both blennies, in monospecific groups, the dominance rank of each fish was a good predictor of the time spent inside shelters. G. cobitis occupied preferentially the sandy substratum both in mono- and heterospecific groups. Both blennies, when in monospecific groups, occupied preferentially the rocky substratum, with C. galerita showing the highest level of selectivity. In nature, C. galerita also showed a marked preference for rocky substrata, while G. cobitis was especially abundant in mixed bottoms. L. pholis occupied an intermediate position. In the blenniids studied, competition for access to shelter may be one major functional consequence of agonistic behaviour in non-reproductive contexts.

Dissertação de mestrado em Etologia Neste trabalho apresenta-se uma abordagem eto-ecológica das espécies Lipophrys pholis (Blenniidae), Coryphoblennius galerita (Blenniidae), Gobius cobitis (Gobiidae) e Gobius paganellus (Gobiidae) na plataforma rochosa da Costa do Estoril. Analisaram-se concretamente os problemas referentes à caracterização dos habitais preferenciais de cada espécie, ao estudo da distribuição dos indivíduos de cada espécie segundo a sua dimensão, à caracterização dos locais de nidificação, ao estudo do comportamento de selecção do substrato que cada espécie apresenta em aquário, ao estudo dos padrões de organização social e dos comportamentos agonísticos que afectam a competição intraespecífíca e finalmente ao estudo da importância dos comportamentos agonísticos interespecífícos como mecanismo de separação de habitat entre as espécies. Verifícou-se que nas populações estudadas, ocorre uma diferenciação nítida do habitat ocupado pelas espécies de cada família estudada, Gobiidae e Blenniidae, quer no que se refere aos locais de nidificação (pedras/abrigos na rocha), quer ao habitat utilizado pelos juvenis e adultos (canais/poças e abrigos na rocha), que poderá resultar de uma série de constrangimentos morfológicos, comportamentais, alimentares e provavelmente fisiológicos, característicos das espécies de cada família. Constatou-se que em habitais frequentados por mais do que uma espécie, ocorre também uma diferenciação do microhabitat utilizado, quer ao nível dos locais de nidificação, quer ao nível do habitat utilizado pelos juvenis e adultos, o que poderá estar relacionado com a dimensão típica de cada espécie, os diferentes hábitos alimentares e com a capacidade que cada espécie apresenta em tolerar diferentes graus de exposição à turbulência e acção das ondas. Relativamente às duas espécies de biénios estudadas, constatou-se que C.galerita é uma espécie altamente especializada, tanto ao nível alimentar como ao nível do microhabitat, recrutando para as mesmas poças onde permanece mesmo depois de atingir a maturidade sexual, ao contrário de L.pholis que é uma espécie mais generalista, a ambos os níveis considerados, sofrendo uma distribuição diferencial segundo a dimensão dos indivíduos, coexistindo com C.galerita apenas na fase de imaturo (de 3 a 7cm de dimensão). Os dados obtidos em aquário, sugeriram que apesar de em grupos monoespecífícos, a ordem de dominância ser determinada pelo tamanho dos indivíduos, em grupos heteroespecífícos, é o factor espécie a assumir essa função (dentro de certos limites de tamanho), sendo C.galerita a espécie dominante, seguida de L.pholis e por último G. cobitis. Enquanto que G.cobitis apresenta logo à partida uma preferência distinta por substrato de areia, ambas as espécies de biénios (com dimensões entre 3 a 7cm), apresentam preferências semelhantes entre si, por substrato de rocha e abrigos na rocha, o que sugere a existência de competição interespecífica, entre estas duas espécies. Observou-se que L.pholis altera radicalmente as suas preferências, quando em presença de C.galerita, sendo "empurrado" para o substrato de maior exposição (areia), o que poderá sugerir que, na natureza, a competição interespecífica actue ao nível da separação do microhabitat entre estas duas espécies. Ainda do estudo em aquário, verificou-se que cada espécie apresenta um reportório comportamental específicos e bem adaptado ao tipo de microhabitat em que vive, observando-se uma maior semelhança entre as duas espécies de biénios, ao nível dos comportamentos agonísticos estudados. Foi sugerido que a pressão de selecção que estas duas espécies sofreram, no sentido de diminuírem a agressividade nos encontros agonísticos, foi semelhante entre si, e mais acentuada que no caso de G.cobitis. Finalmente, verificou-se que em Portugal todas as espécies estudadas se reproduzem mais cedo e durante mais tempo, que em zonas de maior latitude, o que aliado à ocorrência de um crescimento mais rápido, observado em ambas as espécies de biénios, parece permitir que em Portugal estas espécies atinjam a maturidade sexual mais cedo que em países de maior latitude, maximizando assim o seu potencial reprodutor